THE WALL OF FACES

SERGEANT


RAY McKIBBEN


was a


TEAM LEADER


with


TROOP ' B '

7th SQUADRON ( AIRMOBILE )

17th CAVALRY

1st AVIATION BRIGADE


and was a posthumous recipient of the


CONGRESSIONALL MEDAL OF HONOR


who rests in honored glory in


CENTER BAPTIST CEMETERY


FELTON, GEORGIA



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CITATION

FOR AWARD OF THE

CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR



near SONG MAO

REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

8 DECEMBER 1968



For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty, Sergeant McKibben distinguished
himself in action while serving as team leader of the point element of a
reconnaissance patrol of Troop B, operating in enemy territory.
Sergeant McKibben was leading his point element in a movement to
contact along a well-travelled trail when the lead element came under
heavy automatic weapons fire from a fortified bunker position, forcing
the patrol to take cover. Sergeant McKibben, appraising the situation
and without regard for his own safety, charged through bamboo and
heavy brush to the fortified position, killed the enemy gunner, secured
the weapon and directed his patrol element forward. As the patrol
moved out, Sergeant McKibben observed enemy movement to the flank
of the patrol. Fire support from helicopter gunships was requested and
the area was effectively neutralized. The patrol again continued its
mission and as the lead element rounded the bend of the river it came
under heavy automatic weapons fire from camouflaged bunkers. As
Sergeant McKibben was deploying his men to a covered position, he
observed one of his men fall wounded. Although bullets were hitting all
around the wounded man, Sergeant McKibben, with complete disregard
for his safety, sprang to his comrade's side and under heavy enemy fire
pulled him to safety behind the cover of a rock emplacement where he
administered hasty first aid. Sergeant McKibben, seeing that his comrades
were pinned down and were unable to deliver effective fire against the
enemy bunkers, again undertook a single-handed assault of the enemy
defenses. He charged through the brush and hail of automatic weapons
fire closing on the first bunker, killing the enemy with accurate rifle fire
and securing the enemy's weapon. He continued his assault against the
next bunker, firing his rifle as he changed. As he approached the second
bunker his rifle ran out of ammunition; however, he used the captured
enemy weapon until it too was empty, at this time he silenced the bunker
with well placed hand grenades. He reloaded his weapon and covered the
advance of his men as they moved forward. Observing the fire of another
bunker impeding the patrol's advance, Sergeant McKibben again single-
handedly assaulted the new position. As he neared the bunker he was
mortally wounded but was able to fire a final burst from his weapon killing
the enemy and enabling the patrol to continue the assault. Sergeant
McKibben's indomitable courage, extraordinary heroism, profound concern
for the welfare of his fellow soldiers and disregard for his personal safety
saved the lives of his comrades and enabled the patrol to accomplish its
mission. Sergeant McKibben's gallantry in action at the cost of his life
above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the
miltary service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the
United States Army.



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CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR


was presented to his family

on 7 April 1970

at

The White House

by the

President of the United States of America

Richard M. Nixon



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THE PROUD YOUNG VALOR THAT ROSE ABOVE THE MORTAL

AND THEN, AT LAST, WAS MORTAL AFTER ALL





YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE